Our FA Cup Awards honour the best – and worst – of the weekend’s fifth-round action, featuring Matheus Cunha, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Preston’s big upset.
Moment of the Week
It was a weekend of red cards in the FA Cup’s fifth round. Matheus Cunha’s meltdown at Bournemouth could prove costly in Wolves’ fight against relegation, while Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon will miss this month’s Carabao Cup final – barring successful appeal – after his own dismissal.
However, the biggest talking point of the weekend was at Crystal Palace. Liam Roberts’ ridiculous and reckless flying kick challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta left the Palace forward in need of 25 stitches for a head injury.
Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts was sent off for this against Crystal Palace 😳
Jean-Philippe Mateta left on a stretcher. pic.twitter.com/pbkyT8AaFF
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 1, 2025
Palace were right to be furious and referee Michael Oliver has been heavily criticised for his failure to brandish an instant red card, consulting with VAR before sending off the Millwall goalkeeper.
However, the referee clearly had not seen just how bad Roberts’ challenge was and swiftly sent the ‘keeper off after reviewing the clip.
Well wishes to Mateta, after the sort of incident no fan wants to see.
Player of the Week
Marco Asensio is enjoying himself in an Aston Villa shirt. The Spaniard signed on loan for Villa in the winter window, having fallen out of favour at Paris Saint-Germain.
In a matter of weeks, Asensio has gone from disposable talent to key man. For the second straight game he scored a brace at Villa Park, netting both goals as Unai Emery’s side beat Cardiff City 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals. In between two crisply-taken finishes were a range of neat touches and cute passes, including one ball slid perfectly into the path of Ollie Watkins for an early chance.
Marco Asensio 🥵#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/6xmuyzAiIK
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 1, 2025
Having spent the bulk of his career in a wide role, Asensio is thriving through the middle for Villa. He’s injected real quality into the side at the perfect time, with a Champions League last-16 clash with Club Brugge tomorrow.
Manager of the Week
Preston have plodded along in the Championship this season. There’s been little to shout about for a team marooned in 15th, one who are tough to beat but lack the goals to truly push on.
The visit of Burnley did not offer much encouragement. The visitors had conceded just once in their previous 14 games but were blown away by thei Lancashire rivals.
Preston dispatched the Championship high-flyers at Deepdale, with ex-Burnley winger Robbie Brady opening the scoring with a beauty.
Further goals from Milutin Osmajić and Will Keane sealed only Preston’s place in the quarter-finals for the first time since 1966. Paul Heckingbottom’s side will welcome Aston Villa to Preston in the last eight.
Goal of the Week
Matheus Cunha went from hero to villain for Wolves this weekend, scoring this spectacular strike from distance before being sent off at Bournemouth.
No player across Europe’s top five leagues has scored more goals from outside the penalty area than Cunha this season
His latest was an absolute peach.
A stunner from distance by Matheus Cunha for @Wolves 🚀#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/bUSGSxq5Es
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 1, 2025
However, can’t dish out this award without a mention for Robbie Brady. This free-kick is the definition of postage-stamped.
This angle of Robbie Brady’s incredible free-kick for @pnefc 😱#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/9M5VZKjOqf
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 1, 2025
Â
Save of the Week
Conor Hazard as a hero of Plymouth’s upset of Liverpool in round four and did his utmost to help Argyle to another shock at Man City. Plymouth took a shock lead before eventually falling to defeat, with Hazard frustrating the home side across the opening half.
He got down at full stretch to deny Kevin De Bruyne, getting fingertips to an effort destined for the far corner.
WHAT. A. SAVE.
Hazard with a wonder stop to keep Argyle in it 🧤#ITVFootball | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/kwiPxdhlhO
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 1, 2025
Stat of the Week
Things are tough for Manchester United right now.
They’re tougher still when Ruben Amorim’s side are handing out headstarts in almost every game.
Did Manchester United concede the first goal:
🆚 Crystal Palace ✅
🆚 Leicester ✅
🆚 Tottenham ✅
🆚 Everton ✅
🆚 Ipswich ✅
🆚 Fulham ✅#MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/WYYT3L2okj— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 2, 2025
Tweet of the Week
Getting the badge in on football away days is getting out of hand now.
Pets at (H) pic.twitter.com/Jr35LBprzt
— LT (@LT___83) March 2, 2025
Read –Â Roy Keane, the most mid-table team ever and the Premier League’s five-a-side ninja
See more –Â FA Cup Team of the Round – Asensio, O’Reilly, Welbeck
